The Remote Training Hub in Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) has opened its doors to students, the first of seven Hubs being established by the Albanese Labor Government across Central Australia.
The Government is investing $30 million to provide access to education, skills and training On-Country for First Nations people, as part of the plan for A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia (the Central Australia Plan).
The Santa Teresa Training Hub will provide skills training access to residents in Aputula (Finke), Titjikala and Amoonguna, supporting accredited training pathways, cultural mentoring, and delivery of foundation skills training -language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
Accessing training can be difficult for First Nations people in remote areas because of distance, cost and caring responsibilities.
The Remote Training Hubs will remove these barriers by providing access to training On-Country, operating under community direction with a culturally aware approach.
Mentors and community advisors are a key part of the Hubs, ensuring training is community-led, culturally appropriate and aligned to employment opportunities.
Students in outlying areas will be provided with transport to the main training centre under the program.
Through the Hubs, skills and training will be closer to home for several thousand First Nations people, with the network of seven Hubs building skills that connect people to local jobs and enterprise opportunities.
The Hubs will foster a skilled local workforce, strengthen regional labour markets, and support long-term economic participation and community prosperity for the benefit of all Australians.
The initiative follows community consultations by the Albanese Government, Northern Territory Government and former Office of the Central Australia Regional Controller. The Central Australia Plan Aboriginal Leadership Group provided valuable advice.
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, National Indigenous Australians Agency and NT Government will continue to work with Central Australian communities to establish the hubs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
“Communities have told us what works best, and we have listened and acted.
“We are delivering in communities training designed and delivered with communities – instead of assuming people outside local communities know what is best.
“Strengthening our skills system so it better meets the needs of learners, wherever they live, is at the core of our work to build Australia’s future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
“Distance and cost can make it harder for people in remote communities to access training and education opportunities.
“Remote training hubs will help break down those barriers by bringing training on Country, making it easier for people to build skills and take up employment opportunities in their communities.
“Delivering culturally appropriate, community-led training is critical to building economic participation and creating strong, sustainable futures for First Nations communities across Central Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
“We want to see people get access to the training they need to secure real jobs and meaningful employment. This shouldn’t depend on where you live.
“The demonstrates our Government’s commitment to delivering quality training outcomes for Central Australians, particularly in our remote communities.”
